Watch Me Tri! ~ Blowing Bubbles

 

1st Swim Lesson Pic ~ Smiling because after 45 mins I can now "blow bubbles'

For about 2 or 3 summers, my sister and I (maybe 8 & 10 yrs old) attended this event called Summer Fun.  Summer Fun was the poor kid's summer vacation 😂😂😂.  We literally went to the local pool and played in the water ALL day and ate snacks (crackers & juice).  I remember jumping off the high dive (without a life jacket) and then doggy paddling to the steps to get out....and do it all over again!!! We didn't have goggles or swim caps....as a matter of fact, I don't even think we had real swimsuits  😭😭 We would float on our back....and play all sorts of water games.  It was a lot of FUN!  During those years, I never learned how to really swim, but I learned how to survive in the water, and I didn't have a fear of water, hence all the cannonballs from the high dive.  As I'm typing this, I'm remembering the sting now......ouch! 😆😆 

Now fast forward a few decades later, here I am starting swim lessons as a part of my #WatchMeTri journey! Since those Summer Fun years, I may have been in a pool 4 times; therefore, without a doubt, I already know my weakest event of the TRI (swim, bike, run) will be the swim.  Why?  I'm glad you asked.  "Because I can NOT swim!!!"  When I told my brother that I was taking lessons, he was shocked to discover that after all those years of Summer Fun that I couldn't swim.  He told me to come back to Alabama and he would teach me how to swim.👀👀  

I was so excited on the day of 30 November, as it was Day 1 of swim lessons with a TRI swim coach!!!!  When we first met at the pool, her words to me after seeing me in my swimsuit were, "well, you look very fit..and athletic!'" I told her thank you, and followed that up with, "but I CAN'T SWIM, and I need your help."  She told me she was happy to hear that because sometimes 'fit' people feel they can do anything and have an ego.  Trust me, ego + water (pool / open water) = danger.

I realized during the session that I could no longer float on my back, tread water, or doggy paddle. Now, I still don't have a fear of water, but the hard truth is, this southern queen can't swim!  The coach said, "we're first going to learn how to breathe under water - so I want you to practice blowing bubbles."  Blowing bubbles....🤯🤯🤯 You mean to tell me I don't hold my breathe?  Blowing bubbles....how will I do that....I mean, won't the water go up my nose - so many questions? So I kept trying...and trying to blow bubbles either out of my nose or mouth, but I just couldn't do it.  With each attempt, more and more water would go up my nose or into my mouth....yuck! Although I had on goggles, I would still squeeze my eyes tightly shut once under the water.  Once coach realized I was doing that, she said, "OPEN YOUR EYES!"  👀👀👀👀  Surprisingly, once I opened my eyes, my face was more relaxed.

Next came some stroke practice - while walking in the pool of course. Oh wait, so I don't stroke with my whole arm?  Wow, there's an actual technique to freestyle swimming???  The first session was so overwhelming.  After about 45 mins of practicing, I was FINALLY able to blow bubbles (exhale) from my mouth while under water; however, I couldn't focus on breathing, stroking, kicking, and turning my head......so I have to report that after my first swim session, I still can't swim....but I can BLOW BUBBLES! #smallVictory #HugeGain 💗💗💗💗💗

#WatchMeTri  I hope my journey will #BAB ~ Be A Blessing to someone and will inspire you to step out on faith towards your own goals even if it appears out of reach!  2 Cor 5:7

#WatchMeTri 🏊🚲🏃

I can't swim laps TODAY, but there's a thing called TOMORROW!

#TRInewbie